River Street Grille

so… we’ve been going here for a lot of years. It used to be a local, townie-​kind-​of-​place where you could get a LOT of good soul-​food — cheap — and it was really good, and you knew (almost) everyone when you walked into the place. It used to be so crowded that on any given Tuesday, we’d have to get there early to avoid a waiting line, and the bar would be 3 deep by 5:30. Sadly, things have changed, and not for the good. On a recent Tuesday, we were the ONLY people in the place at just after 6:00 PM. I think that it’s because of several reasons: 1 — the prices have gone up (A LOT), so it puts River Street into the same price category as many other places in the city, so they’ve lost their price edge. 2 — the drinks used to be strong and a great value… not so much any more. 3 — the food quality AND quantity have both dropped pretty significantly; as an example, what used to be a twin kabob on the Greek salad is now a single kabob, and what used to be a double chicken breast for the chicken-​parm is now a single. 4 — The specials on the board are not really specials… they’re the same old thing, week in and week out; we used to look forward to the real specials, but now we just glance at the same old board and order our same old meal. The only thing that has remained consistent is that the wait-​staff is excellent; they know their regulars and cater to them — as they should — but there’s just not many left.
It’s too bad… it’s starting to feel like a death-​spiral and it makes me really sad.

We go here every Friday night for dinner. Excellent food reasonable prices and great waitress’s. The owner is friendly and always stops by to say hello and ask how the meal was. The waitress’s get to know the regulars and in allot of cases have some items ordered before you even ask. We have had specials, regular menu and pizza. Never any complaints always hot and served as ordered. It is a local place but great for families and kids. Try it you will like it!
Pat C

Can’t beat the prices here! All of their food is top notch. I go here quite often, (and my husband weekly with his bowling league) and we’ve NEVER had a bad meal! Try the kickin’ chicken salad or go old school with some liver and onions (add bacon)! Or be surprised when you enter and order off of the giant dry-​erase board of specials that travels table-​side for you to easily view! Love this place! Great for couples, families, single people at the bar that’s separate from the dining room. Don’t miss River Street Grill!

My dad and I were in a rush to find somewhere to eat that had wifi so we stopped here. WORST customer service I’ve ever experienced. The lady (Robin I think her name was) practically ignored my dad when he asked if they had wifi like 5x! He said it loud and clear and he practically had to shout in order for her to say anything. After she said yes, he went back out to our car to get our laptops and she came over to me (I’m 13 by the way) and asked me to hide my water bottle because it might have alcohol in it and she didn’t want her boss to see. She was extremely rude to my father and I and it was so bad that my dad said he didn’t want to eat there so we got our things and started leaving and she said «Do you need a place to plug it in?» and my dad said «No thanks, we’re leaving I don’t know what I did to offend you mam» and she just said «OK». I don’t even know how their food is because the customer service was just so awful. I do NOT recommend coming here, especially if you have an old hag named Robin for a waitress. We think she may have even been racist because we’re both of color. Just a thought though, not making assumptions.

Used to go often years ago. Stopped because the food is very inconsistant. Might be good, might be horrible. Guess it depends on the night and the cook.
Gave it another shot an ordered a past favorite. Just about unedible.
Won’t be back again, too many other good choices in town.

Stopped in on a Sunday afternoon (when else would you possibly go out for beers at a place like this?) and was pleasantly surprised. Despite the fact that I lived my whole life within a mile of this place until recently, I had only been in once previously, back in the 90’s as a kid. The interior is pleasantly updated compared to the exterior. Service at the bar was alright, and I ripped some beers in comfort. Ordered some junkfood off the special board and we were happy with the outcome for the money. No complaints, but its a divey-​type place with locals that are set in their ways so you’ll have to bear that in mind when you gauge the situation yourself.

Absolutely a horror show. Will never go back. Wasn’t busy, took 40 min to get food, and it wasn’t done right. Then it took another 20 minutes to get the burger I ordered, done right. Again, will NEVER go back!

Ordered clam chowder it was cold. Order haddock fish sandwich, waited a long time. The piece was a small fillet tail end, nothing to it. Side of beets. Meal came in a plastic basket, no dish.
I have been to this restaurant 3 or 4 times but not in last year. Looks to me it’s a restaurant Impossible.

River Street Grille looks as though and probably was built in 1968. I doubt that it has been updated much since it was built. the adjoining «Bowl-​O-​Mat» advertises cosmic bowling, which sounds like some 70’s coked up black light bowling experience. it’s also a total townie hang out, where the townies can go and avoid the hipsters. When we visited the bar was loud and crowded for the celtics game.
While the décor is tired, the beer is cold and the pizza is a nice flat crust style pizza that is worth sitting in 1968 décor, I mean seriously, what is UP with those random swirls in the stucco? We tried a few apps– deep fried green beans and artichoke hearts. They were both really good. 4 of us shared a pizza and 2 apps and then drank 2 beers each for under $ 60. it’s cheap.
The waitress was friendly and as antiquated as the place. Though old the place looked clean.

Food isn’t consistent :(Drinks are still awesome though!

Once again — I told you it is addictive…
I was asked to describe the food here. The best I could come up with; «Uniformly excellent, with an occasional flash of REAL brilliance.»
That last «flash» is on the menu with the unassuming title of «Chicken and Black Beans Over Rice.»
I did not think anything could come this close to perfection … Beautifully glazed chicken with a moderate amount of black beans … the rice generously loaded with sweet red peppers and onions — not especially «hot» but «bright:» enough to be authentic.
Every time i visit, I come away with a new favorite

I like River Street, but River Street is the kind of restaurant that has rules.
Rule #1 — Don’t sit in the dining room.
While the environment is okay (as many have mentioned, it’s nothing fancy), I think it gets way too loud in there, especially with lots of kids. I’ve never sat at a table and had great service, either. They also move the specials board around and lean it against tables. While people are sitting at them. I think it’s weird, and kind of annoying.
Rule #2 — Go there for lunch.
This correlates with Rule #1. You don’t want to sit in the dining room, but at night there’s no way you can get a seat at the bar. And even if you did, there are always townie-​types causing a ruckus. So, your only option is to go there during the day.
Rule #3 — Eat the pizza.
My husband really likes their chicken parm, and I’ve had some good sandwiches and fried shrimp there, but you HAVE to have the pizza. It is so cheap, so huge, and always cooked perfectly. It’s more than enough for two.
Rule #4 — Be the one that buys.
I like to pull a fast one when we go there. «Oh, honey, I’ll pay for this dinner!» That way, I’m paying $ 45 for our two entrees, two beers a piece and an appetizer, and he can pay when we go anywhere else. The moral of this story is, River Street is VERY reasonably priced.

Family fare, family priced.

River Street Grille is good…
First of all, I don’t use the bar so this isn’t about the bar. But, I like that they keep it separate from the dining area so you barely have to even see it.
This is, in my opinion, the kind of place mid-​to-​older age people go to get a big plate of standard American fare for a great price. That doesn’t mean you can’t take a bunch of kids here for some great pizza (and bowling later), though.
You’ll find good, solid, traditional dishes like:
* Steak tips
* Baked and fried seafood
* Chicken,
* Pasta, pizza and more.
Same with the appetizers, where you can get things like nachos, garlic bread, buffalo fingers, potato skins, or a soup like chowdah! The nachos are loaded with all the decadent stuff we’ve come to love on our nachos and I’ve had the chowdah here a few times and it was pretty good. Just make sure to taste everything before salting it. ;)
Ever since they renovated, the inside of the restaurant is pretty nice. I like that because many «value» restaurants that provide big servings at great prices tend to skimp on the furninture, treating it more as a convenience for the customers than as a warm, welcoming gesture. Well, the furniture here is much nicer than it used to be and you can see it at the website.
The parking lot out front can get a little cramped because they share the building and lot with a bowling alley but they have plenty of parking around the sides. But, this means you can also work off your dinner with a few strings of bowling afterwards. ;) The neighborhood is good, and there’s a major Beverly train stop within 2 minutes walking distance.
So, if yer lookin for some nicely done standard fare at a great value, (and maybe some bowling afterwards!), you have to check out River Street Grille at least once.